Mid-Missouri students can be appointed to the U.S. military academies.
Blair Oaks High School graduate Brett Voss is proof of that.
A third-class midshipman, or the equivalent of a sophomore, Voss was among 450 Naval Academy students selected for the OPINFO program, allowing him to come home early for Thanksgiving Day break to make presentations to local high schools.
Voss visited his alma mater and Russellville High School Monday and Tuesday he went to Jefferson City High School, Helias Catholic High School and Trinity Lutheran School.
A similar visit by a Naval Academy midshipman four years ago sparked Voss' pursuit to attend the academy, he said.
Now, he hopes his Mid-Missouri school visits this fall might encourage another student to set the same goal.
At Russellville, senior Hannah Michitsch was first in the library, wearing her sweatshirt from the Naval Academy summer seminar, eager to talk about the application process and waiting to hear whether she's accepted for the fall term. Voss served as a leader during that summer seminar, where he first met Michitsch.
Voss also spoke to the younger brother of his best friend in high school. The sibling also has applications in for the Naval Academy.
A systems engineer major, Voss is among the majority of the 4,500-plus academy students who major in a science, technology, engineering or math field.
His father, Cmdr. Greg Voss, retired from the U.S. Navy and served for a time in the Reserve before retiring again. Now, he is the area Naval Academy information officer, working with guidance counselors and students interested in applying to the academy.
In his school presentations this week, the younger Voss emphasized athletic opportunities at the academy, the extensive academic support system and the leadership development emphasis.
In addition to the equivalent of a full ride - with free tuition, room and board and medical coverage - students receive a monthly stipend.
"It's a pretty cool deal," Voss said. "You don't have any debt after college and you have a job."
Voss will graduate in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in systems engineering. But he hopes his military career includes aviation, either with the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps.
Coming home early to give the school programs, Voss was able to go hunting this past weekend, something he has missed doing with his father, he said. And, his family waited to see the newly released film "MockingJay" with him.
Clad in his dress blues uniform for his school meetings, though, Voss' primary objective this holiday visit was to share the educational and career possibilities through the Naval Academy.
"I think interest has built since I was accepted," he said. "Before then, some people didn't even know the Naval Academy existed or didn't think it was possible to get in."
Only a sophomore, Voss already is a role model.
"It feels great; I'm happy to be a trailblazer for that," Voss said. "I want people to know the options available them."